Yankees' Matsui Makes All-Star Team

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, July 5, 2003

Matsui, a nine-time All-Star in Japan, was voted onto the AL team in his rookie season as a major leaguer with the New York Yankees.

"All I can say is that it's a great honor to be chosen. It certainly is different than the others because it's a different country," he said Sunday through an interpreter. "It will be a lasting memory."

After a slow start, Matsui has been one of the best players in the league over the past month. Matsui was the AL's top rookie in June, batting .394 with 29 RBIs.

He leads major league rookies with 64 RBIs, and has nine homers and .311 batting average.

"It just so happened that when I started to play well, the voting was going on. It was all just lucky timing," he said.

Matsui will team up in the AL starting outfield on July 15 with countryman Ichiro Suzuki.

"I met Mr. Matsui when I was 17 and in high school. I don't think either of us could have imagined being on the same field at the All-Star game," said Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. "It's very significant and meaningful."

The Japanese stars have played together before in exhibitions against touring major leaguers in Japan, but this time will be even more special.

"I look forward to playing with him here," Matsui said. "For the fans, it's going to be great."

Matsui will be joined by at least two Yankees teammates. Catcher Jorge Posada and second baseman Alfonso Soriano were also voted in. First baseman Jason Giambi is one of five finalists in Internet balloting for the 32nd spot on the team.

Despite Clemens' 8-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, the Yankees thought the six-time Cy Young Award winner deserved to go to Chicago as a career achievement. Clemens, who has said he plans to retire after the season, won his 300th game last month and also recorded his 4,000th strikeout.

"I would have liked to see it," said captain Derek Jeter, an All-Star the past five seasons. "I don't know who made the decision. If it was my decision, he'd be there."